80s show crowned the people’s favourite

The nation has voted and the best ITV show of all time is Auf Wiedersehen, Pet.

Thunderbirds took the second spot and the cobbles of Coronation Street came in at third.

A poll to mark the channel’s 60th anniversary was conducted by The Radio Times magazine.

The comedy-drama about seven out of work lads who have gone to West Germany to try and make a living in the construction industry, which first aired in 1983, still has a fond place in people’s hearts.

Auf Wiedersehen co-writer Clement said: “I knew it had a strong following in the north-east but I didn’t realise its reach.”

The show made household names of Timothy Spall, Kevin Whately and Jimmy Nail along with other members of the cast.

A successful revival of the show saw two series and a Christmas special shown on BBC One (after ITV had failed to re-secure rights for the Network) in 2002 and 2004

Other shows in the top 10 included Downton Abbey and Blind Date.

The 10 most popular ITV shows in the last 60 years:

1. Auf Wiedersehen, Pet (1983)

2. Thunderbirds (1965)

3. Coronation Street (1960)

4. Inspector Morse (1987)

5. The Prisoner (1967)

6. The Avengers (1961)

7. Foyle’s War (2002)

8. The Professionals (1977)

9. Blind Date (1985)

10. Downton Abbey (2010)

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